INDIANAPOLIS -- The Society of Professional Journalists, the largest and most broad-based national organization for journalists, believes strongly in diversity. The society does not and will not discriminate in terms of employment, membership or advancement in leadership.

SPJ represents more than 7,500 journalists across America.

SPJ will be hosting the Excellence in Journalism conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, in September 2016.

As the members of the Louisiana legislature debate House Bill 707, the Marriage and Conscience Act, and any amendments to that bill, SPJ calls on those representatives and senators, and on Gov. Bobby Jindal, to work together to ensure any law passed is not discriminatory toward the LGBTQ community or any other community.

All members of SPJ should be welcome in New Orleans and in Louisiana next year, and no member should be subjected to discrimination while attending EIJ16.

SPJ further urges lawmakers across the country, including in the Pelican State, to continue to consider laws that fully protect all members of society.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information about SPJ, please visit spj.org.